Home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boiling function, and method of preparing red ginseng extract using the same

ABSTRACT

A home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boiling function includes a main body equipped with a heater; a heating vessel; a support plate for allowing a to-be-boiled object to be placed above the surface of the water stored in the heating vessel; a water supply for supplying water for boiling into the heating vessel so that the to-be-object is immersed; a steam collector for gathering stream produced when the to-be-boiled object is decocted with water; a condenser for condensing the steam collected into the steam collector; and a stream/condensed water guide for leading the steam present in the heating vessel to the steam collector and the condensed water placed in the steam collector to the heating vessel. With such construction, undried or white ginseng can become red ginseng extract by producing such useful components as several kinds of phenolic compounds and maltol, anti-oxidants, and ginsenosides Rg and Rh through steam-boiling, drying and re-boiling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a home-style decoctor and a method ofpreparing red ginseng extract using the same. More particularly, thisinvention pertains to a home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boilingfunction, the decoctor heating and boiling (undried, white or red)ginseng to draw out red ginseng extract, the invention further applyingto a method of preparing red ginseng extract.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, Panax ginseng is a medicinal herb used as hematinictonic medicine for a long time in the eastern Asia. Korean ginseng isespecially known to contain a great quantity of more than thirty kindsof ginsenoside.

Grubbed up after the cultivation of four to six years, panax ginseng isclassified into undried (unprocessed and containing water as much as 70to 80%), white (the primarily processed product), and finally redginseng according to the processing method.

White ginseng is made by being dried with or without the skin of undriedginseng of over four years, the white containing water below 12%. Redginseng is manufactured by steam-boiling undried ginseng for the purposeof long-time preservation or according to another process.

The red ginseng has several kinds of phenolic compounds and maltol,aging-resistants (anti-oxidants), and ginsenosides Rg and Rh, all ofwhich are produced through a steamy boiling process but not contained inundried ginseng, as well as a great volume of more than thirty kinds ofginsenoside. The red ginseng is known to further have a great quantityof ginsenosides, its peculiar components, and panaxydol group andpanaxytriol group.

Red ginseng made as above may be produced as ginseng extract, which isdrawn out with several components of red ginseng. The extract can bedrunk as a undiluted solution or an alkaline which is made by adding rawmedicinal stuff or physiological activator thereto.

It is difficult to domestically make red ginseng extract because ofseveral complicated processes as described above. Even though it is madedomestically, charcoal is used to decoct the red ginseng, which is alsonot simple. Because of those problems, there has been developed adecoctor for facilitating the domestic decoction of ginseng or otherobjects.

FIG. 1 is a vertical section of a conventional home-style decoctor; FIG.2 is an enlarged vertical section of the heating vessel of theconventional decoctor; and FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of thesteam condensing means of the decoctor.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a prior art decoctor 10 has: a main body20 equipped with a heater 22 at an appropriate place; a heating vessel30 which stores water and is heated by heater 22; a filter 32 positionedin heating vessel 30 and for containing an object to be boiled (forinstance, undried, white or red ginseng); a steam collector 40 forgathering steam generated from heating vessel 30 during the decoction ofthe object; means for cooling steam collector 40 with cooling water; andsteam/condensed water guiding means for enabling heating vessel 30 tocommunicate with steam collector 40 when heating vessel 30 is safelyplaced in main body 20, and thus leading the steam contained in heatingvessel 30 to steam collector 40 and the condensed water condensed insteam collector 40 to heating vessel 30.

With the conventional home-style decoctor 10, when heater 22 is operatedwhile heating vessel 30 containing an object to be boiled and apredetermined amount of water is mounted thereon, the to-be-boiledobject contained in heating vessel 30 is decocted due to heater 22heated. This to-be-boiled object is heated while immersed in waterstored in heating vessel 30. The steam produced in heating vessel 30during the decoction goes into steam collector 40 by means of the steamguiding means, and the steam collected in steam collector 40 and thencondensed by the cooling means in turn to heating vessel throughsteam/condensed water guiding means 50.

The decoction of a to-be-boiled object and its extraction is carried outthrough the repeated performance of incoming of the steam produced fromheating vessel 30, which is heated, into steam collector 40 and heatingvessel 30 in the form of steam or condensed water.

In case of red ginseng extraction through the decoction of undried orwhite ginseng with the conventional home-style decoctor, however, theundried or white ginseng is designed to be decocted while immersed intowater stored in the heating vessel. In this condition several kinds ofphenolic compounds and maltol as aging-resistants (anti-oxidants) andginsenosides Rg and Rh are not produced, which are, however, containedonly in red ginseng. This is because there is no steamy boiling in theconventional decoctor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, in order to overcome such drawbacks of the prior art, anobjective of the present invention is to provide a home-style decoctorendowed with a steamy boiling function, with which ginseng (undried orwhite) is steam-boiled to become red ginseng and thus generate severalkinds of phenolic compounds and maltol, aging-resistants(anti-oxidants), and ginsenosides Rg and Rh. This invention also aimsfor a method of preparing a red ginseng extract using the decoctor ofthe invention.

To accomplish the objectives of the present invention, there is provideda home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boiling function, the decoctorbeing comprised of: a main body of a predetermined size equipped with aheater at an appropriate position of the bottom; a heating vessel forcontaining and heating a predetermined amount of water with the heater;a support plate having a plurality of throughholes and for allowing ato-be-boiled object to be placed above the surface of water stored inthe heating vessel and to be steam-boiled with the steam produced insidethe heating vessel; means for supplying water for boiling into theheating vessel so that the to-be-object is immersed after its steamyboiling and drying; a steam collector for gathering steam produced whenthe to-be-boiled object is decocted with water for boiling poured in theheating vessel which stores the water for boiling through the water forboiling supplying means; means for condensing the steam collected intothe steam collector; and steam/condensed water guiding means for causingthe heating vessel to communicate with the steam collector when theheating vessel is safely placed in the main body and thus leading thesteam present in the heating vessel to the steam collector and thecondensed water placed in the steam collector to the heating vessel.

There is provided another embodiment of a home-style decoctor endowedwith steamy boiling function of the present invention comprising: a mainbody of a predetermined size having a heater at an appropriate place ofits bottom; a heating vessel put above the heater for heating ato-be-boiled object contained therein; a support plate having aplurality of throughholes mounted on the heater for supporting ato-be-boiled object so that it is located above water stored, the plateallowing the object to be steam-boiled by means of steam produced insidethe heating vessel; a water reservoir installed at an appropriate placeof the main body for storing water to be supplied to the heating vessel;means for supplying water stored in the water reservoir to the heatingvessel; a steam collector for gathering steam produced from the heatingvessel while the object contained in the heating vessel is boiled; meansfor condensing the steam collected in the steam collector; andsteam/condensed water guiding means for enabling the heating vessel tocommunicate with the steam collector when the heating vessel is safelyplaced in the main body, and thus leading the steam contained in theheating vessel to the steam collector and the water condensed in thesteam collector to the heating vessel.

For another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodof preparing red ginseng extract using a home-style decoctor comprisinga main body, a heating vessel which stores water, a support plate forenabling a to-be-boiled object to be located above water stored, awater-for-boiling tank, a steam collector for gathering steam, means forcondensing the steam collected in the steam collector, andsteam/condensed water guiding means for leading the steam contained inthe heating vessel to the steam collector and the water condensed in thesteam collector to the heating vessel, the method comprising the stepsof: safely placing the support plate having ginseng in the heatingvessel, and storing water in the heating vessel so high that the ginsengis not immersed; storing water in the water-for-boiling tank so high asto cause the ginseng contained in the heating vessel to be immersed;steam-boiling for a predetermined time the ginseng by means of steamproduced in the heating vessel heated; supplying water to the heatingvessel so high as to cause the steam-boiled ginseng to be immersed; andheating the heating vessel while the steam-boiled ginseng is immersed,for the purpose of re-boiling it for a predetermined time.

There is provided another method of preparing red ginseng extract usinghome-style decoctor endowed with steamy coiling function having a mainbody, a heating vessel for heating a to-be-boiled object, a waterreservoir for storing water to be supplied to the heating vessel, asupport plate for allowing a to-be-boiled object to be placed above thesurface of water stored in the heating vessel, means for supplying waterstored in the water reservoir to the heating vessel, a steam collectorfor gathering steam produced from the heating vessel while the object isboiled, means for condensing the steam collected into the steamcollector, and steam/condensed water guiding means for allowing theheating vessel and steam collector to communicate therebetween when theheating vessel is safely placed in the main body, the guiding meansleading the steam present in the heating vessel to the steam collectorand the condensed water placed in the steam collector to the heating,the method comprising the steps of: safely placing the support plate inthe heating vessel; storing water in the heating vessel through thewater supply means so high as not to cause ginseng to be immersed;heating the heating vessel for the purpose of steamy boiling of ginsengcarried out by means of the steam produced; supplying water to theheating vessel by means of the water supply means so high that thesteam-boiled ginseng is immersed; and heating the heating vessel whilethe steam-boiled ginseng contained in the heating vessel is immersed inwater, for the purpose of re-boiling the ginseng for a predeterminedtime.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will be understood moreclearly from the following description, read in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section of a conventional home-style decoctor;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the heating vessel of theconventional decoctor;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the steam condensing means ofthe decoctor;

FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective of an embodiment of a home-styledecoctor of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section of the decoctor of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section of the heating vessel of thedecoctor of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical section of the steam collector of thedecoctor of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of the steam condensing means of the decoctor ofthe invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the overheating preventive device of thedecoctor of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a vertical section of the steam condensing means and heatingvessel before assembled by the steam/condensed water guiding means;

FIG. 11 is a vertical section of the steam condensing means and heatingvessel after assembled by the steam/condensed water guiding means;

FIGS. 12a and 12 b each are plans of the steam guiding portion arresterof the invention, showing its operation;

FIGS. 13a and 13 b each are schematic vertical sections of the arresterof the invention, showing its operation;

FIG. 14 is a vertical section of another embodiment of the decoctorendowed with a steamy boiling function of the present invention, theembodiment being operated in an air-cooling manner;

FIG. 15 is an elevation of the air-cooled decoctor shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a vertical section of the steam/condensed water guiding meansin the air-cooled decoctor;

FIG. 17 is a vertical section of the lift of the steam/condensed waterguiding means in the air-cooled decoctor; and

FIGS. 18a and 18 b are vertical sections showing the steam/condensedwater guiding means operated according to the lift in the air-cooleddecoctor, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Though generally implying undried, white or red, the term ‘ginseng’indicates undried or white in this invention. As far as the word ‘red’is not used, the term ‘ginseng’ designates undried or white through thedescription.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the home-style decoctor endowedwith steamy boiling function and the method of preparing red ginsengextract of the invention are described in detail with respect of theattached drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a home-style decoctor 100 of the presentinvention comprises: a main body 110 equipped with a heater 114 at anappropriate place of its bottom; a heating vessel 120 for containing andheating a predetermined amount of water; a support plate 122 a built inheating vessel 120, the plate having a plurality of throughholes 122 band for supporting a to-be-boiled object when it is steam-boiled; asteam collector 130 for gathering steam produced when heating vessel 120is heated; means for condensing the steam collected into steam collector130; and steam/condensed water guiding means for leading the steampresent in heating vessel 120 to steam collector 130 and the condensedwater placed in steam collector 130 to heating vessel 120.

In the above-explained construction, when heating vessel 120 havingtherein a to-be-boiled object is heated, the object being supported withsupport plate 122 a so as not to be sunk into water, it is boiled withthe steam generated. After the steam boiling of the object for apredetermined time, power is turned off to dry it, and a predeterminedamount of water is gathered into heating vessel 120 so that the objectsteam-boiled and dried is sufficiently sunk into water. In this state,heating vessel 120 is heated to boil water and the object.

Here, after the steam boiling and drying, a predetermined amount ofwater for boiling is manually poured into heating vessel 120 which isseparated from main body 110 so high that the object is immersed.

When undried or white ginseng is steam-boiled, dried and then boiledwith the decoctor 100 of the present invention, useful componentscontained in red ginseng made when undried ginseng is steam-boiled anddried may be produced.

A method of preparing red ginseng extract using the home-style decoctor100 of the invention comprises the steps of: safely placing in heatingvessel 120 support plate 122 a equipped with a plurality of throughholes122 b and having ginseng (undried or white) thereon, and then gatheringwater so high that the ginseng is not immersed; steam-boiling theginseng for a predetermined time with the steam produced when heatingvessel 120 is heated; drying the ginseng for a predetermined time whileheater 114's power is off; gathering water for boiling in heating vessel120 so high that the steam-boiled and dried ginseng is immersed; andboiling heating vessel 120 for a predetermined time while thesteam-boiled and dried ginseng contained in heating vessel 120 isdrowned in the incoming water.

More specifically, after support plate 122 a is stably placed in heatingvessel 120 and ginseng is put on support plate 122 a, a predeterminedamount of water is poured so high that the ginseng is not immersed.Then, the water is heated to enable the ginseng to be boiled with steam.

When the steam boiling of ginseng is performed for a predetermined time,heater 114's power is turned off to thereby dry the ginseng. Water forboiling is poured into heating vessel 120 so high that the steam-boiledand dried ginseng is drowned. Through this procedure of re-heating, theginseng is boiled in water.

With such processes of steam boiling, drying and re-boiling, ginsengbears several kinds of phenolic compounds and maltol, which arecontained in red ginseng as the aging-resistants (anti-oxidants), andginsenosides Rg and Rh. During the steam boiling of ginseng, there aregenerated such components as several kinds of phenolic compounds andmaltol included in red ginseng as the aging resistants (anti-oxidants).During the re-boiling process ginsenosides Rg and Rh are produced.Therefore, several kinds of phenolic compounds and maltol, the agingresistants (anti-oxidants), and ginsenosides Rg and Rh, all of which areproduced during the steam boiling, drying and re-boiling, are drawn outto become red ginseng extract.

From now on, home-style decoctor 100 of the invention is explained inmore detail. Referring to FIGS. 4 to 11, home-style decoctor 100comprises: a main body 110 equipped with a heater 114 at an appropriateplace of its bottom; a heating vessel 120 for containing and heating apredetermined amount of water; an inner vessel 122 safely positioned inheating vessel 120 for supporting a to-be-boiled object with its innersupport plate 122 a; a steam collector 130 for gathering steam producedwhen heating vessel 120 is heated; a water-for-boiling tank 140installed on the inner side of steam collector 130 for storing water; anopen/close valve 150 for discharging water for boiling stored inwater-for-boiling tank 140 into steam collector 130; a solenoid 160 foropening or closing open/close valve 150 under control; means forcondensing the steam collected into steam collector 130; andsteam/condensed water guiding means for leading the steam present inheating vessel 120 to steam collector 130 and the condensed water placedin steam collector 130 to heating vessel 120.

In the above-explained construction, when a to-be-boiled objectcontained in heating vessel 120 is not sunk into water but heatingvessel 120 is heated, the object is boiled with the steam generated.After the steam boiling of the object for a predetermined time, power isturned off to dry it, and a predetermined amount of water is gatheredinto heating vessel 120 so that the object steam-boiled and dried issufficiently immersed into water. In this state, heating vessel 120 isheated to boil water and the object.

For more detailed description of the construction of the invention, theconnection and operation of components will be recited below. First ofall, main body 110 constitutes the exterior of home-style decoctor 100endowed with steamy boiling function of the invention. The decoctor'scomponents are installed inside or at appropriate places of main body110. Especially, heater 114 for heating the heating vessel 120 isinstalled under a heating vessel receiver 112 provided on the front ofmain body 110 for accepting heating vessel 120. In the upper part ofmain body 110, steam collector 130 and components related thereto areprovided.

Heating vessel 120 acts to heat a predetermined amount of stored waterby means of heater 114. By doing so, steam is generated in the heatingvessel 120.

The inner vessel 122 enables an object boiled to be positioned therein.On the bottom of inner vessel 122, support plate 122 a equipped with aplurality of throughholes 122 b is positioned so that the to-be-boiledobject is placed above the surface of water stored in heating vessel120. Thus constructed inner vessel 122 is safely placed in heatingvessel 120 while the to-be-boiled object is positioned on support plate122 a.

The reason why the to-be-boiled object is designed to be positionedabove the surface of water stored in heating vessel 120 is to performsteamy boiling which is aimed by the invention. The invention's purposeis accomplished by positioning the to-be-boiled object above waterstored by means of support plate 122 a of inner vessel 122.

When the to-be-boiled object is put on support plate 122 a of innervessel 122 which is then safely placed in heating vessel 120, the objectput on support plate 122 a is placed higher than the surface of waterstored in heating vessel 120 so that the object is not immersed intowater stored in heating vessel 120. Here, when steam is produced withheating vessel 120 heated, the steam rises through a plurality ofthroughholes 122 b formed on support plate 122 a so that the object puton support plate 122 a is steam-boiled. Meanwhile, the steam raised isgathered into steam collector 130 by means of the steam/condensed waterguiding means.

The steam collector 130 is designed to gather steam produced whenheating vessel 120 is heated. The vessel is installed in the upper partof main body 110, and communicates with heating vessel 120 by means ofthe steam/condensed water guiding means. The steam collected into steamcollector 130 is cooled and condensed by the steam condensing means.Here, a lid 132 for covering steam collector 130 has a steam dischargingvalve 136 which opens to release steam through a steam discharging hole134 when the internal pressure of steam collector 130 reaches apredetermined point due to the steam gathered into steam collector 130.The steam condensing means is recited later.

Water-for-boiling tank 140 is a container for storing water for boilingto be supplied into heating vessel when boiling for extracting theobject's components is carried out after steamy boiling. The tank isinstalled on the inner side of steam collector 130. Here, the bottom ofwater-for-boiling tank 140 is designed to be separated from the innerbottom of steam collector 130 at a predetermined distance. In otherwords, there is a space between the bottom of water-for-boiling tank 140installed on the inner side of steam collector 130 and the inner top ofsteam collector 130. Open/close valve 150 is installed onwater-for-boiling tank 140 for drawing out water stored therein.

As described above, the open/close valve 150 acts to pour water storedin water-for-boiling tank 140 into steam collector 110. The valve isinstalled in discharging hole 142 formed on the bottom ofwater-for-boiling tank 140 for discharging water-for-boiling, and opensor closes by means of later-mentioned solenoid 160. When valve 150opens, water stored in tank 140 enters steam collector 130 and thenheating vessel 120 through steam/condensed water guiding means.

Solenoid 160 opens open/close valve 150 installed at an appropriateposition of the bottom of water-for-boiling tank 140. The solenoid isinstalled at an appropriate place of the inner side of main body 110 andon the bottom of open/close valve 150. Thus installed solenoid 160 isoperated according to a control signal to open valve 150 for apredetermined time. Valve 150 opens as long as water contained inwater-for-boiling tank 140 is sufficiently drawn out.

After water stored in tank 140 sufficiently goes into steam collector130 with open/close valve 150 being opened and when the control signalis off, solenoid 160 returns to the original position and open/closevalve 150 also does due to the resilient force of spring 152.

The steam condensing means cools and condenses the steam gathered intosteam collector 130, the means comprising a cooling water reservoir 170,a cooling water circulation tube 172, a cooling water circulation pump174, and a heat-resistant pin 176, as shown in FIG. 8.

Cooling water reservoir 170 stores cooling water for cooling steamcollector 130 whose temperature is raised due to steam, the reservoirbeing installed at an appropriate position of the top of main body 110.

Cooling water circulation tube 172 cools steam collector 130 bycirculating the cooling water stored in cooling water reservoir 170around the collector 130. The cooling water circulation tube 172 isinstalled on the circumference of steam collector 130 in the spiralform, circulating cooling water toward the exit through the entrance.

Cooling water circulation pump 174 forcibly circulates the cooling watercontained in cooling water reservoir 170. When cooling water circulationpump 174 is driven, the cooling water stored in cooling water reservoir170 enters cooling water circulation tube 172 via the entrance, spirallycirculates steam collector 130, and then goes into cooling waterreservoir via the exit. When cooling water circulation pump 174 iscontinuously driven, the cooling water stored in cooling water reservoir170 also ceaselessly circulates steam collector 130 to cool it.

Heat-resistant pin 176 cools the cooling water whose temperature israised because it circulates steam collector 130 to cool it. This pin isinstalled on cooling water circulation tube 172 to cool cooling watercirculation tube 172 and thus lower the temperature of the cooling watercirculated, by externally radiating heat received from cooling watercirculation tube 172.

In audition to the construction of the steam condensing means, a coolingwater residual indicator 170 a is provided at an appropriate place ofone side of main body 110 for confirming the residual of cooling watercontained in cooling water reservoir 170. A cooling fan 178 is disposedat an appropriate position near heat-resistant pin 176 inside main body110, the fan cooling heat-resistant pin 176. The fan 178 coolsheat-resistant pin 176 more quickly through ventilation, decreasing morerapidly the temperatures of cooling water circulation tube 172 andcooling water.

The home-style decoctor 100 of the invention further comprises means fordetecting the temperatures of steam collector 130 and cooling watercirculation tube 172 if cooling water circulation pump 174 or coolingfan 178 has a problem, deciding that there occurs trouble therein if thetemperatures reach a predetermined point, and thus turning off heater114 to thereby prevent its overheating.

For the overheating preventive means of the decoctor 100, there isprovided a temperature sensor 102 for detecting the temperature of steamcollector 130 at an appropriate position of one side thereof. Theoverheating preventive means equipped with temperature sensor 102measures the temperature of steam collector 130, compares it with apredetermined temperature, and, if the temperature of steam collector130 rises above a predetermined point, decides that cooling watercirculation pump 174 or cooling fan 178 has a problem, to thereby turnoff the output of heater 114.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the overheating preventivemeans of decoctor 100 comprises: a temperature detecting portion 310installed on one side of steam collector 130 for detecting thetemperature of steam collector 130; a comparing portion 320 forcomparing the temperature of steam collector 130 detected by temperaturedetecting portion 310 with a predetermined point; a controller 300 for,if the temperature of steam collector 130 goes above a predeterminedpoint, deciding that cooling water circulation pump 174 or cooling fan178 has a problem to thereby turn off the power of heater 114, thecontroller further controlling the general operations of decoctor 100;and an alarm 330 for generating an alarm which can be recognized by anuser when it is decided by controller 300 that cooling water circulationpump 174 or cooling fan 178 has trouble.

The operation of the above-explained overheating preventive means isdescribed below. Temperature detecting portion 310 measures thetemperatures of steam collector 130 and cooling water circulation tube172, the measured values being sent to controller 300. The temperaturevalues received in controller 300 are compared with a predeterminedvalue in comparing portion 320, the compared result being transmitted tocontroller 300.

According to the result sent to controller 300 from comparing portion320, if the temperature values measured in steam collector 130 andcooling water circulation tube 172 are greater than a predeterminedvalue, controller 300 turns off the power of heater 340 and thengenerates-an alarm which can be recognized aurally and visually by anuser. Here, for means of producing alarm, a buzzer is employed as auralmeans, and an on-and-off light as visual means. Only a buzzer or both ofa buzzer and on-and-off light may be provided.

As described above, the overheating of decoctor 100 can be prevented byturning off the power of heater 114 when the temperature of steamcollector 130 or cooling water circulation tube 172 is raised above apredetermined point and it is thus determined that cooling watercirculation pump 174 or cooling fan 178 has a problem. Turning to FIGS.5, 10 and 11, the steam/condensed water guiding means leads the steamcontained in heating vessel 120 and produced when it is heated, intosteam collector 130, and the condensed water made in steam collector 130into heating vessel 120. This means comprises: upper and lower supportmembers 180 and 182 vertically and respectively having steam guidingholes 180 a and 182 a at their centers and screw-fastened with thebottom of steam collector 130 being interposed; a steam guiding portion184 which communicates with steam hole 124 a formed in heating vessellid 124, the portion for leading the steam contained in heating vessel120 to steam collector 130 and the condensed water stored in steamcollector 130 to heating vessel 120; a support shaft 184 a verticallyformed at an appropriate position inside steam guiding portion 184 andvertically and movably inserted into steam guiding holes 180 a and 182 aof upper and lower support members 180 and 182; an open/close member 186fastened at the top of support shaft 184 a for opening or closing thetop of the steam guiding hole of upper support member 180 and allowingsteam guiding portion 184 and support shaft 184 a to be supported byupper and lower support members 180 and 182 when steam guiding portion184 moves up and down; an elastic wavy tube 188 installed on thecircumference of support shaft 184 a and whose top and bottom surfacescome into tight contact with the bottom of lower support member 182 andthe inner top of steam guiding portion 184, respectively, the tube forleading the steam contained in heating vessel 120 to steam collector 130and the condensed water stored in steam collector 130 to heating vessel120 through steam guiding portion 184; and a resilient spring 190installed at the circumference of wavy tube 188 for allowing the top andbottom of wavy tube 188 to come into close contact with the bottom oflower support member 182 and the inner top of steam guiding portion 184,the spring executing its force to enable steam guiding portion 184usually to return to the original position.

In more detail, upper support member 180 is formed vertically with steamguiding hole 180 a at its center. In the lower part of support member180 a male screw 180 b is formed so that the support member passes fromthe inner center to the outer bottom of the steam collector 130.

Lower support member 182 has steam guiding hole 182 a verticallypenetrated in relation to steam guiding hole 180 a of upper supportmember 180. A female screw 182 b is formed on the inner circumference ofsteam guiding hole 182 a in relation to male screw 180 b of uppersupport member 180. With the male and female screws, the lower supportmember is fastened with upper support member 180 at the bottom of steamcollector 130. Steam guiding holes 180 a and 182 a of respective members180 and 182 communicate vertically due to the vertical fastening betweenupper and lower support members 180 and 182 interposed with the bottomof steam collector 130. In other words, the lower center of steamcollector 130 is open through respective steam guiding holes 180 a and182 a of upper and lower support members 180 and 182.

Steam guiding portion 184 leads the steam of heating vessel 120 to steamcollector 130 through steam guiding hole 182 a of lower support member182 and the condensed water of steam collector 130 to heating vessel120. The steam guiding portion leads the steam or condensed waterthrough steam guiding hole 184 b making a sheet-contact with steam hole124 a formed in the heating vessel lid 124 and thus verticallypenetrated therewith. The steam guiding portion 184 is positioned underlower support member 182 while propped up by support shaft 184 avertically formed on the inner top of the portion and by open/closemember 186 fastened to the top of support shaft 184 a.

Formed vertically on the inner top surface of steam guiding portion 184,support shaft 184 a is penetratingly inserted into respective steamguiding holes 180 a and 182 a of upper and lower support members 180 and182 so that steam guiding portion 184 is designed to move verticallyonly along the center line of steam guiding holes 180 a and 182 a for apredetermined distance. Depending upon the presence or absence ofheating vessel 120, steam guiding portion 184 moves vertically alongrespective steam guiding holes 180 a and 182 a of upper and lowersupport members 180 and 182, and is thus guided vertically only alongthe center line of steam guiding holes 180 a and 182 a.

Along the lengthwise circumference of support shaft 184 a, a pluralityof guiding pieces 184 c are formed at predetermined intervals so thatthe support shaft 184 a is guided only vertically in steam guiding holes180 a and 182 a of upper and lower support members 180 and 182. Here,the steam of heating vessel 120 and the condensed water of steamcollector 130 pass between guiding pieces 184 c of support shaft 184 a.

Open/close member 186 is fastened to the top of support shaft 184 apenetrating through respective steam guiding holes 180 a and 182 a ofupper and lower support members 180 and 182 and protruded from the topof steam guiding hole 180 a of upper support member 180. Made ofresilient deformable synthetic resin, the open/close member enablessteam guiding portion 184 and support shaft 184 a to be supported byupper and lower support members 180 and 182. Especially, rubber isfavorable for the member 186.

In addition to the function of allowing steam guiding portion 184 andsupport shaft 184 a to be supported by upper and lower support members180 and 182, open/close member 186 has a function of opening or closingthe top of steam guiding hole 180 a of upper support member 180according to the presence or absence of heating vessel 120.Specifically, open/close member 186 opens or closes steam guiding hole180 a placed on the top of upper support member 180 according to thevertical movement of steam guiding portion 184, the movement dependingupon the presence or absence of heating vessel 120.

The opening of the top of steam guiding hole 180 a of upper supportmember 180 means that the steam of heating vessel 120 goes into steamcollector 130 and the condensed water of steam collector 130 intoheating vessel 120. When the top of steam guiding hole 180 a of uppersupport member 180 is closed, steam or condensed water cannot be guidedtherethrough.

When support shaft 184 a penetrates respective steam guiding holes 180 aand 182 a of upper and lower support members 180 and 182 and open/closemember 186 is fastened to the top of support shaft 184 a protruded fromthe top of steam guiding hole 180 a of upper support member 180, supportshaft 184 a placed between open/close member 180 and steam guidingportion 184 is longer than respective steam guiding holes 180 a and 182a of upper and lower support members 180 and 182 so that support shaft184 a moves vertically by the difference. In other words, steam guidingportion 184 can move by the difference between the length of supportshaft 184 a placed between open/close member 186 and steam guidingportion 184, and the length of upper and lower support member 180 and182 and steam guiding holes 180 a and 182 a.

Wavy tube 188 is designed to prevent the external steam leakage possiblyoccurring when the steam of heating vessel 120 passes through steamguiding portion 184 of the steam/condensed water means and respectivesteam guiding holes 182 a and 180 a of upper and lower support members182 and 180. In order to guide steam or condensed water, the wavy tubeis installed on the outer circumference of support shaft 184 a, the topand bottom end surfaces coming into close contact with the bottom oflower support member 182 and the inner top of steam guiding portion 184.Made of rubber of good elasticity, wavy tube 188 additionally acts toalleviate the reduction of the resilient force of below-explained spring190.

Elastic spring 190 executes its force in the direction of returningsteam guiding portion 184 to its original position. Therefore, when theforce of raising steam guiding portion 184 disappears, it is made toinstantly return to the original position. Installed on thecircumference of wavy tube 188, spring 190 causes the top and bottomsurfaces of wavy tube 188 to come into close contact with the bottomsurface of lower support member 182 and the inner top surface of steamguiding portion 184. In addition, the spring always executes its forceto return steam guiding portion 184 to the original position. Thisallows the top surface of heating vessel lid 124 to come into closecontact with the bottom surface of steam guiding portion 184.

In the construction of the steam/condensed water guiding means, asealing member 192 in the form of concentric circle is further providedon the bottom of steam guiding portion 184, the member preventing theleakage of steam by tightening the border of steam hole 124 a of heatingvessel lid 124 and the bottom of steam guiding portion 184.

The wavy tube 188 and sealing member 192 of the steam/condensed guidingmeans prevents the steam leakage from the steam/condensed water guidingmeans and also between heating vessel lid 124 and the bottom of steamguiding hole 184 b when steam hole 124 a of heating vessel lid 124coincides with steam guiding hole 184 b of steam guiding portion 184 andthus the borders of steam hole 124 a and steam guiding hole 184 b aretightened by means of sealing member 192 while heating vessel 120 issafely placed in heater 114.

From now on, the operation of steam/condensed water guiding means isdescribed. First of all, when heating vessel 120 is put into heater 114of main body 110 and the steam guiding hole of steam guiding portion 184coincides with steam hole 124 a formed in the center of heating vessellid 124, steam guiding portion 184 moves up and then the top of steamguiding hole 180 a of upper support member 180 is opened so that thesteam of heating vessel 120 can go into steam collector 130 throughrespective steam guiding holes 184 b, 182 a and 180 a of steam guidingportion 184, lower support member 182 and upper support member 180. Thisstate indicates that the condensed water of steam collector 130reversely falls down into heating vessel 120 through the steam guidingportion.

If heating vessel 120 is detached from heater 114, then the force topush upward steam guiding portion 184 disappears so that it instantlyreturns to the original position due to the resilient force of wavy tube188 and elastic spring 190. Here, steam guiding hole 180 a of uppersupport member 180 is closed by means of open/close member 186.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 10 to 13 b, main body 110 of decoctor 100 furthercomprises means for arresting the up and down movement of steam guidingportion 184. This steam guiding portion movement arresting meanscomprises: a stop 184 d formed on the circumference of the steam guidingportion; a pushing member 200 one end of which is protruded outward frommain body 110, the member rectilinearly and horizontally moving; aspring 202 whose force is executed to enable pushing member 200 alwaysto be protruded outward; and an arresting member 206 installed to berotable inward and outward horizontally at an appropriate position andon both sides in main body 110, one end of the member being coupled onhinge 204 with the other end of pushing member 200, the member movinginward and outward while engaging with pushing member 200 which moveshorizontally, to be thereby caught or released from stop 184 d of steamguiding portion 184.

The steam guiding portion movement arresting means is constructed thatarresting member 206 is hinged at both ends of pushing member 200 placedinside main body, the member being rotable by rotation shaft 208. Here,when the force of pushing member 200 which is resiliently supported byspring 202 is removed, pushing member 200 and arresting member 206always return to the original position. In this construction, thearresting means holds the up and down movement of steam guiding portion184 when the free end of arresting member 206 rotates centering onrotation shaft 208 according to pushing member 200 to catch or releasestop 184 d of steam guiding portion 184.

In more detail, after heating vessel 120 is safely placed in heater 114while stop 184 d of steam guiding portion 184 is caught by arrestingmember 206, in other words, steam guiding portion 184 is moved up andheld by arresting member 206, pushing member 200 is pressed to advanceinward and thus arresting member 206 hinged on both inner ends ofpushing member 200 rotates centering on rotation shaft 208 to releasethe free end of arresting member 206 and the stop 184 d. Steam guidingportion 184 becomes free from arresting member 206 and thus moves downdue to the resilient force of spring 190. As a result, the steam guidingportion is safely positioned in steam hole 124 a of heating vessel lid124.

Meanwhile, when heating vessel 120 is raised while steam guiding portion184 is safely positioned in steam hole 124 a of lid 124, steam guidingportion 184 moves up and thus stop 184 d of steam guiding portion 184 iscaught by the free end of arresting member 206. In this state steamguiding portion 184 is maintained to be moved up so that heating vessel120 freely goes in or out.

As shown in FIG. 5, there is provided falling water receiver meansplaced at an appropriate position of heater 114 for withdrawing boilingsolution falling from the steam/condensed guiding means when heatingvessel 120 is detached from main body 110. This means comprises: anouter cask 210 installed at an appropriate place inside heater 114 onthe central line of the steam/condensed guiding means; a falling waterreceiver 212 detachably installed on the inner side of outer cask 210for collecting boiling solution falling from the steam/condensed waterguiding means, and a handle 214 formed on the inner central bottom offalling water receiver 212 and used to allow barrel 212 to separate fromouter cask 210. Here, the bottom of barrel 212 is formed conically tominimize the heat transmission from outer cask 210.

The thus constructed falling water receiver means withdraws residualboiling solution remaining and dropping from the inner side surf ace ofwavy tube 188 of steam/condensed water guiding means when heating vessel120 is detached from heater 114 after the boiling, to thereby prevent itf from being contaminated. The boiling solution collected from barrel212 can be removed by separating it from outer cask 210 by means ofhandle 214.

In the construction of the falling water receiver means, there isfurther provided a plurality of contact preventive bumps 210 aprotuberantly formed on the inner side of outer cask 210 for causing theouter circumference of barrel 212 to come into no sheet-contact with theinner circumference of outer cask 210 when barrel 212 is safelypositioned in the outer cask.

The contact preventive bumps 210 a hinders the contact between fallingwater receiver 212 and outer cask 210, to thereby minimize the heattransmission from outer cask 210.

The home-style decoctor 100 of the present invention can be summarizedas follows. As shown in FIGS. 4-13b, decoctor 100 is comprised of: amain body 110 of a predetermined size equipped with a heater 114 at anappropriate position of the bottom; a heating vessel 120 for containingand heating a predetermined amount of water with heater 114; a supportplate 122 a having a plurality of throughholes 122 b and for allowing anobject to be placed above the surface of water stored in heating vessel120 and to be steam-boiled with the steam produced inside heating vessel120; a steam collector 130 for gathering steam produced when the objectis decocted with water for boiling poured in heating vessel 120 so highas to cause the object to be immersed after its steamy boiling anddrying; means for condensing the steam collected into steam collector130; and steam/condensed water guiding means for causing heating vessel120 to communicate with steam collector 130 when the heating vessel issafely placed in main body 110 and thus leading the steam present inheating vessel 120 to steam collector 130 and the condensed water placedin steam collector 130 to heating vessel 120.

In the above construction there is further provided means in main body110 of decoctor 100 for supplying water for boiling into heating vessel120 so high as to cause the to-be-boiled object to be immersed after itssteamy boiling and drying. This means comprises: a water for boilingtank 140 installed to be spaced apart upward from the inner bottom ofsteam-collector 130 for storing so much an amount as to cause theto-be-boiled object contained in heating vessel 120 to be immersed; anopen/close valve 150 installed at an appropriate position of the bottomof tank 140 for discharging water for boiling into steam collector 130according to the opening/closing action; and a solenoid 160 installed atan appropriate position of main body 110 placed under open/close valve150 for opening or closing open/close valve 150.

Another embodiment of decoctor 100 of the present invention is comprisedof: a main body 110 of a predetermined size equipped with a heater 114at an appropriate position of the bottom; a heating vessel 120 forcontaining and heating a predetermined amount of water with heater 114;an inner vessel 122 having a support plate 122 a equipped with aplurality of throughholes 122 b for allowing an object to be placedabove the surface of water stored in heating vessel 120, the vesselcausing the object to be steam-boiled with the steam produced insideheating vessel 120; a steam collector 130 installed in the upper portionof main body 110 and for gathering steam produced when the object isdecocted; a water for boiling tank 140 installed to be spaced apartupward from the inner bottom of steam collector 130 for storing so muchan amount as to cause the to-be-boiled object contained in heatingvessel 120 to be immersed; an open/close valve 150 installed at anappropriate position of the bottom of tank 140 for discharging water forboiling into steam collector 130 according to the opening/closingaction; a solenoid 160 installed at an appropriate position of main body110 placed under open/close valve 150 for opening or closing open/closevalve 150; means for condensing the steam collected into steam collector130; and steam/condensed water guiding means for causing heating vessel120 to communicate with steam collector 130 when the heating vessel issafely placed in main body 110 and thus leading the steam present inheating vessel 120 to steam collector 130 and the condensed water placedin steam collector 130 to heating vessel 120.

The steam condensing means comprises: a cooling water reservoir 170installed at an appropriate position of main body 110 for storingcooling water; a cooling water circulation tube 172 installed spirallyon the circumference of steam collector 130 for allowing the coolingwater stored in cooling water reservoir 170 to flow; a cooling watercirculation pump 174 for forcibly circulating the cooling water storedin cooling water reservoir 170 into cooling water circulation tube 172;and a heat-resistant pin 176 installed at an appropriate place ofcooling water circulation tube 172 for radiating heat of the coolingwater whose temperature is raised. In addition there is installed acooling fan 178 installed at an appropriate place of main body 110 nearheat-resistant pin 176 for cooling it.

The steam/condensed water guiding means comprises: upper and lowersupport members 180 and 182 vertically and respectively having steamguiding holes 180 a and 182 a at their centers and screw-fastened withthe bottom of steam collector 130 being interposed; a steam guidingportion 184 which communications with steam hole 124 a formed in heatingvessel lid 124, the portion for leading the steam contained in heatingvessel 120 to steam collector 130 and the condensed water stored insteam collector 130 to heating vessel 120; a support shaft 184 avertically formed at an appropriate position inside steam guidingportion 184 and vertically and movably inserted into steam guiding holes180 a and 182 a of upper and lower support members 180 and 182; anopen/close member 186 fastened at the top of support shaft 184 a foropening or closing the top of the steam guiding hole of upper supportmember 180 and allowing steam guiding portion 184 and support shaft 184a to be supported by upper and lower support members 180 and 182 whensteam guiding portion 184 moves up and down; an elastic wavy tube 188installed on the circumference of support shaft 184 a and whose top andbottom surfaces come into tight contact with the bottom of lower supportmember 182 and the inner top of steam guiding portion 184, respectively,the tube for leading the steam contained in heating vessel 120 to steamcollector 130 and the condensed water stored in steam collector 130 toheating vessel 120 through steam guiding portion 184; and a resilientspring 190 installed at the circumference of wavy tube 188 for allowingthe top and bottom of wavy tube 188 to come into close contact with thebottom of lower support member 182 and the inner top of steam guidingportion 184, the spring executing its force to enable steam guidingportion 184 usually to return to the original position. A sealing member192 is further provided on the bottom of steam guiding portion 184, themember preventing the leakage of steam by tightening the border of steamhole 124 a of heating vessel lid 124 and the bottom of steam guidingportion 184.

From now on, the steamy boiling and re-boiling with decoctor 100 of theinvention are described. Above all, inner vessel 122 with a to-be-boiledobject is safely placed in heating vessel 120, water is poured thereintoso high as not to cause the object on the inner vessel to be immersed,and thus the object and heating vessel 120 are heated with heater 114.

When steam is generated in heating vessel 120 heated, the steamy boilingof the object is performed by means of the steam generated. Whilecontinuously boiling the object, the steam enters steam collector 130through the steam/condensed water guiding means. Here, the steam goinginto steam collector 130 is condensed by means of the steam condensingmeans and is then withdrawn into heating vessel 120 through thesteam/condensed water guiding means. In other words, the steamy boilingof object is carried out while heating vessel 120 is heated for apredetermined time, and water therein is repeatedly circulated betweenheating vessel 120 and steam collector 130 in the form of steam orcondensed water.

After the object is steam-boiled for a predetermined time through thesteamy boiling, the power of heater 114 is turned off to dry the objectboiled.

The open/close valve 150 is opened under the control of solenoid 160after the drying of object for a predetermined time so as to dischargewater stored in tank 140 to steam collector 130, the water going intosteam collector 130 enters the heating vessel through thesteam/condensed water guiding means. Here, the water going into heatingvessel 120 enables the object contained in heating vessel 120 to besufficiently immersed.

In the state that water for boiling goes into heating vessel 120 toallow the object to be sufficiently immersed, heater 114 is turned on tothereby re-boil the contents (water and object to be boiled) of heatingvessel 120. Here, the water in heating vessel 120 repeatedly circulatesheating vessel 120 and steam collector 130 in the form of steam orcondensed water, as in the process of steamy boiling. Through there-boiling in heating vessel 120 heated for a predetermined time,components contained in the object are drawn out and concentrated duringheating.

Hereinafter, there is described a method of manufacturing red ginsengextract with decoctor 100 in more specific construction. The method isperformed with decoctor 100 comprising: main body 110, heating vessel120 for storing water, inner vessel 122 having support plate 122 a andginseng, steam collector 130 for gathering steam, water for boiling tank140 in steam collector 130 for storing water, open/close valve 150 forsending water-for-boiling stored in tank 140 into steam collector 130,solenoid 160 for opening/closing open/close valve 150, means forcondensing the steam collected in steam collector 130, andsteam/condensed water guiding means for guiding the steam of heatingvessel 120 to steam collector 130 and the condensed water of steamcollector 130 to heating vessel 120.

The method comprises the steps of: storing water so high as not to causeginseng (undried or white) to be immersed therein while inner vessel 122having ginseng is safely positioned in heating vessel 120; storing waterin water for boiling tank 140 so high as to cause ginseng contained inheating vessel 120 to be immersed therein; steam-boiling ginseng for apredetermined time by means of steam produced in heating vessel 120heated; drying steam-boiled ginseng for a predetermined time with heater114 turned off; opening open/close valve 150 to cause water stored intank 140 to go into heating vessel 120 so that the steam-boiled anddried ginseng is immersed into the water; and heating heating vessel 120and re-boiling the steam-boiled and dried ginseng which is immersed intowater.

More specifically, in the step of storing a predetermined amount ofwater in heating vessel 120, ginseng is designed not to be immersed intothe water when inner vessel 122 having ginseng is safely placed inheating vessel 120. This is because not steamy but just boiling isperformed if ginseng is sunk and heated in water. Here, the amount ofwater stored in heating vessel 120 is approximately 100 cc.

In the step of storing water for boiling in tank 140, water for boilingis reserved in tank 140 to put it into heating vessel 120 for boilingafter steamy boiling. Here, the amount of water in tank is approximately1,500 cc which is as high as to cause the steam-boiled ginseng to besufficiently immersed into the water.

In the steamy boiling, ginseng is boiled with steam produced in heatingvessel 120 heated while the ginseng is not immersed into water. This isdesigned to convert (undried or white) ginseng into red. Here, undriedginseng is steam-boiled for about two hours, and white for about fivehours.

Through the steamy boiling process several kinds of phenolic compoundsand maltol are produced as aging resistants (anti-oxidants), which arecontained in red ginseng.

The drying process intends to maintain the useful components generatedin ginseng through steamy boiling. This step is carried out for about 30minutes with heater 114 off.

The step of causing the water for boiling stored in water for boilingtank 140 to go into heating vessel 120 is prepared to proceed there-boiling of the ginseng steam-boiled and dried. When open/close valve150 is opened according to solenoid 160, water for boiling stored intank 140 enters steam collector 130 and then heating vessel 120 throughthe steam/condensed water guiding means, to thereby immerse thesteam-boiled and dried ginseng. In this state re-boiling is performed.

In the re-boiling process, the useful components contained in ginsengsteam-boiled and dried by means of heating vessel 120 are extracted andginsenosides Rg and Rh are produced. Through this step ginseng is boiledand thus becomes red ginseng extract. The time is over 18 hours ofceaseless boiling for the purpose of optimal condition of red ginseng.

From now on, there will be presented the procedure of red ginsengextract according to the method of manufacturing red ginseng extractwith the decoctor 100 endowed with steamy boiling function of theinvention. First of all, water of 100 cc is poured into heating vessel120, and inner vessel 122 having ginseng is safely positioned therein.Water for boiling of 1,500 cc is stored in water for boiling tank 140,and then heating vessel 120 is safely placed on heater 114 and heated.

The steam produced in heating vessel 120 steam-boils the ginseng put onsupport plate 122 a of inner vessel 122. During the steamy boiling ofginseng, water in heating vessel 120 circulates heating vessel 120 andsteam collector 130 in the form of steam or condensed water through thesteam/condensed water guiding means. Here, the water for boiling storedin tank 140 is heated by the steam gathered into steam collector 130 sothat the water's temperature rises. This allows the tank 140 to act tocool the steam gathered in steam collector 130.

After steam-boiling of about two hours for undried ginseng and five forwhite, heater 114 is turned off and drying of about 30 minutes isexecuted.

After the drying of the ginseng steam-boiled, open/close valve 150 isopened according to solenoid 160 to thereby send the water for boilingstored in tank 140 into steam collector 130. Here, the water for boilingentering steam collector 130 goes into heating vessel 120 throughsteam/condensed water guiding means so that the steam-boiled and driedginseng is immersed into the water.

When heating vessel 120 is heated by means of heater 114 while thesteam-boiled and dried ginseng is immersed in the water stored inheating vessel 120, the ginseng is re-boiled in water. The re-boiling isexecuted for over 18 hours for the optimal condition of red ginsengextract.

During the re-boiling the water in heating vessel 120 repeatedlycirculates heating vessel 120 and steam collector 130 through thesteam/condensed water guiding means in the form of steam or condensedwater. In this procedure such healthful components as ginsenosides Rgand Rh are produced and extracted from the ginseng. This is the redginseng extract.

The red ginseng extract contains useful components produced during themanufacturing of red ginseng from undried. This can obtain red ginsengextract containing its peculiar useful components through steam-boiling,drying and re-boiling of undried or white ginseng without the process ofboiling and extracting of red ginseng.

Turning to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, the embodiment 400 of the decoctor ofthe invention comprises: a main body 410 of a predetermined size havinga heater 414 at an appropriate place; a heating vessel 420 put aboveheater 414 for heating a to-be-boiled object contained therein; an innervessel 422 safely placed in heating vessel 420 for supporting the objectwith its support plate 422 a; a water reservoir 430 installed at anappropriate place of main body 410 for storing water to be supplied toheating vessel 420; means for supplying water stored in water reservoir430 to heating vessel 420; a steam collector 450 for gathering steamproduced from heating vessel 420 while the object contained in heatingvessel 420 is boiled; means for condensing the steam collected in steamcollector 450; and steam/condensed water guiding means for enablingheating vessel 420 to communicate with steam collector 450 when heatingvessel 420 is safely placed in main body 410, and thus leading the steamcontained in heating vessel 420 to steam collector 450 and the condensedwater condensed in steam collector 450 to heating vessel 420.

In the above construction, when heating vessel 420 is heated while waterof water reservoir 430 is supplied to heating vessel by means of thewater supply means so high that the object contained in heating vessel420 is not immersed, the object is steamy boiled by means of the steamproduced. After the steamy boiling of the object for a predeterminedtime, the water of reservoir 430 is supplied to heating vessel 420through the water supply means so high that the object is fullyimmersed, and then the object is reboiled.

The steam produced from the reboiling process is condensed in the formof liquid, and enters steam collector 450 and then heating vessel 420through steam/condensed water guiding means. Here, the method ofcondensing the steam produced is air-cooling.

A method of preparing red ginseng extract using the decoctor 400comprises the steps of: safely placing support plate 422 a in heatingvessel 120, the support plate having a plurality of throughholes 422 bon which ginseng is put; storing water in heating vessel 420 through thewater supply means so high that the ginseng is not immersed; heatingheating vessel 420 for the purpose of steamy boiling of ginseng carriedout by means of the steam produced for a predetermined time; supplyingwater to the heating vessel by means of the water supply means so highthat the steam-boiled ginseng is immersed; and heating heating vessel420 while the steam-boiled ginseng contained in heating vessel 420 isimmersed in the water entered, for the purpose of reboiling the ginsengfor a predetermined time.

In more detail, support plate 422 a is safely placed in heating vessel420, and then ginseng is put on the plate.

While ginseng is put on support plate 422 a, water stored in reservoir430 is sent into heating vessel 420 through the water supply means.Here, the amount of water should be supplied as high as not to immersethe ginseng.

With such processes of steam boiling and re-boiling, ginseng bearsseveral kinds of phenolic compounds and maltol, which are contained inred ginseng as the aging-resistants (anti-oxidants), and ginsenosides Rgand Rh. During the steam boiling of ginseng, there are generated suchcomponents as several kinds of phenolic compounds and maltol included inred ginseng as the aging resistants (anti-oxidants). During there-boiling process ginsenosides Rg and Rh are produced.

Therefore, several kinds of phenolic compounds and maltol, the agingresistants (anti-oxidants), and ginsenosides Rg and Rh, all of which areproduced during the steam boiling, drying and reboiling, are drawn outto become red ginseng extract.

For more detailed description of the construction of the air-cooleddecoctor of the invention, the connection and operation of componentswill be recited below. First of all, main body 410 constitutes theexterior of home-style decoctor 400 endowed with steamy boiling functionof the invention. The decoctor's components are installed inside or atappropriate places of main body 110. Especially, heater 414 for heatingthe heating vessel 420 is installed under a heating vessel receiver 412provided on the front of main body 410 for accepting heating vessel 420.

Heating vessel 420 acts to heat a predetermined amount of stored waterby means of heater 414. By doing so, steam is generated in the heatingvessel 420.

The inner vessel 422 enables a to-be-boiled object to be positionedtherein. On the bottom of inner vessel 422, support plate 422 a equippedwith a plurality of throughholes 422 b is positioned so that the objectis placed above the surface of water stored in heating vessel 420. Thusconstructed inner vessel 422 is safely placed in heating vessel 420while the object is positioned on support plate 422 a.

The reason why the to-be-boiled object is designed to be positionedabove the surface of water stored in heating vessel 420 is to performsteamy boiling which is aimed by the invention. The invention's purposeis accomplished by positioning the to-be-boiled object above waterstored by means of support plate 422 a of inner vessel 422.

Water reservoir 430 is designed to store water for steam-boiling andre-boiling ginseng, placed at an appropriate place of main body 410.

The water supply means acts to supply water stored in water reservoir430 to heating vessel 420. This means comprises: a water supply tube 440connected from water reservoir 430 to steam collector 450; a watersupply pump 442 installed at an appropriate place of main body 410 forsupplying water stored in water reservoir 430 to steam collector 450through water supply tube 440; and a controller (not shown) forcontrolling water supply pump 442 and thus the amount of water enteringheating vessel 420.

The steam collector 450 is designed to gather steam produced whenheating vessel 420 is heated. The vessel is installed in the upper partof main body 410, and communicates with heating vessel 420 by means ofthe steam/condensed water guiding means. The steam collected in steamcollector 450 is cooled and condensed by means of the steam condensingmeans.

The steam condensing means condenses the steam gathered in steamcollector 450. This means comprises: a condensing tube 460 connecteddownwards on the side of steam collector 450 for sucking the steamcollected in steam collector 450, condensing it in the form of liquidand then causing it to go into steam collector 450; a cooling fan 462installed at an appropriate place of the main body near condensing tube460 for cooling condensing tube 460; and a steam discharge tube 464connected to the bottom end of condensing tube 460 for externallydischarging the rest uncondensed steam. Here, condensing tube 460 ismade in the form of spring so that incoming steam passes through apredetermined length of path. There is provided at an appropriate placeof condensing tube 460 a heat-resistant pin 466 for radiating the heatof condensing tube 460 whose temperature is raised.

The steam/condensed water guiding means 470 leads the steam contained inheating vessel 420 and produced when it is heated, into steam collector450, and the condensed water made in steam collector 450 into heatingvessel 420. This means comprises: upper and lower support members 472and 474 vertically and respectively having steam guiding holes 472 a and474 a at their centers and screw-fastened with the bottom of steamcollector 450 being interposed; a steam guiding portion 476 whichcommunicates with steam hole 424 a formed in heating vessel lid 424, theportion for leading the steam contained in heating vessel 420 to steamcollector 450 and the condensed water stored in steam collector 450 toheating vessel 420; a support shaft 476 a vertically formed at anappropriate position inside steam guiding portion 476 and vertically andmovably inserted into steam guiding holes 472 a and 474 a of upper andlower support members 472 and 474; an open/close member 478 fastened atthe top of support shaft 476 a for opening or closing the top of thesteam guiding hole 472 a of upper support member 472 and allowing steamguiding portion 476 and support shaft 476 a to be supported by upper andlower support members 472 and 474 when steam guiding portion 476 movesup and down; and a resilient spring 480 for executing its force toenable steam guiding portion 184 usually to return to the originalposition.

In more detail, upper support member 472 is formed vertically with steamguiding hole 472 a at its center. In the lower part of support member472 a male screw is formed so that the support member passes from theinner center to the outer bottom of the steam collector 450.

Lower support member 474 has steam guiding hole 474 a verticallypenetrated in relation to steam guiding hole 472 a of upper supportmember 472. A female screw is formed on the inner circumference of steamguiding hole 474 a in relation to the male screw of upper support member472. With the male and female screws, the lower support member isfastened with upper support member 472 at the bottom of steam collector450. Steam guiding holes 472 a and 474 a of respective members 472 and474 communicate vertically due to the vertical fastening between upperand lower support members 472 and 474 interposed with the bottom ofsteam collector 450. In other words, the lower center of steam collector450 stays open through respective steam guiding holes 472 a and 474 a ofupper and lower support members 472 and 474.

Steam guiding portion 476 leads the steam of heating vessel 420 to steamcollector 450 through steam guiding hole 474 a of lower support member474 and the condensed water of steam collector 450 to heating vessel420. The steam guiding portion leads the steam or condensed waterthrough steam guiding hole 476 b making a sheet-contact with steam hole424 a formed in the heating vessel lid 424 and thus verticallypenetrated therewith. The steam guiding portion 476 is positioned underlower support member 474 while propped up by support shaft 476 avertically formed on the inner top of the portion and by open/closemember 478 fastened to the top of support shaft 476 a.

Formed vertically on the inner top surface of steam guiding portion 476,support shaft 476 a is penetratingly inserted into respective steamguiding holes 472 a and 474 a of upper and lower support members 472 and474 so that steam guiding portion 476 is designed to move verticallyonly along the center line of steam guiding holes 472 a and 474 a for apredetermined distance. Depending upon the presence or absence ofheating vessel 420, steam guiding portion 476 moves vertically alongrespective steam guiding holes 472 a and 474 a of upper and lowersupport members 472 and 474, and is thus guided vertically only alongthe center line of steam guiding holes 472 a and 474 a.

Open/close member 478 is fastened to the top of support shaft 476 apenetrating through respective steam guiding holes 472 a and 474 a ofupper and lower support members 472 and 474 and protruded from the topof steam guiding hole 472 a of upper support member 472. Made ofresilient deformable synthetic resin, the open/close member enablessteam guiding portion 476 and support shaft 476 a to be supported byupper and lower support members 472 and 474. Especially, rubber isfavorable for the member 478.

In addition to the function of allowing steam guiding portion 476 andsupport shaft 476 a to be supported by upper and lower support members472 and 474, open/close member 478 has a function of opening or closingthe top of steam guiding hole 472 a of upper support member 472according to the presence or absence of heating vessel 420.Specifically, open/close member 478 opens or closes steam guiding hole472 a placed on the top of upper support member 472 according to thevertical movement of steam guiding portion 476, the movement dependingupon the presence or absence of heating vessel 420.

The opening of the top of steam guiding hole 472 a of upper supportmember 472 means that the steam of heating vessel 420 goes into steamcollector 450 and the condensed water of steam collector 450 intoheating vessel 420. When the top of steam guiding hole 472 a of uppersupport member 472 is closed, steam or condensed water cannot be guidedtherethrough.

When support shaft 476 a penetrates respective steam guiding holes 472 aand 474 a of upper and lower support members 472 and 474 and open/closemember 478 is fastened to the top of support shaft 476 protruded fromthe top of steam guiding hole 472 of upper support member 472, supportshaft 476 a placed between open/close member 478 and steam guidingportion 476 is longer than respective steam guiding holes 472 a and 474a of upper and lower support members 472 and 474 so that support shaft476 a moves vertically by the difference. In other words, steam guidingportion 476 can move by the difference between the length of supportshaft 476 a placed between open/close member 478 and steam guidingportion 476, and the length of upper and lower support member 472 and474 and steam guiding holes 472 a and 474 a.

Elastic spring 480 executes its force in the direction of returningsteam guiding portion 476 to its original position. Therefore, when theforce of raising steam guiding portion 476 disappears, it is made toinstantly return to the original position. Installed between lowersupport member 474 and steam guiding portion 476, spring 480 alwaysexecutes its force to return steam guiding portion 476 to the originalposition and thus allow the top surface of heating vessel lid 424 tocome into close contact with the bottom surface of steam guiding portion476.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the decoctor 400 further comprises meansfor arresting the vertical movement of steam guiding portion 476. Thismeans consists of: an annular arrestor 490 provided on the outercircumference of steam guiding portion 476 and having a slant guidingsurface 490 a; a rotary member 492 having another slant surface 492 arelative with slant guiding surface 490 a; a lever 494 connected to oneside of rotary member 492 and externally protruded from the main body;and a rotary member support member 496.

More specifically, annular arrestor 490 is formed on the outercircumference of steam guiding portion 476, and there is formed spirallycut slant guiding surface 490 a on the bottom end of the arrestor.Rotary member 492 is formed to be fastened with steam guiding portion476 while in contact with the bottom surface of annular arrestor 490.The top surface of rotary member 492 has slant surface 492 a in relationwith slant guiding surface 490 a of annular arrestor 490. Provided onthe outer circumference of rotary member 492, one end of lever 494 isexternally protruded from main body 410 to swivel left and right withina predetermined range. Rotary member support member 496 causes rotarymember 492 to turn only at its position so that steam guiding portion476 moves vertically.

The operation of the steam guiding portion arresting means is explainedbelow when heating vessel 420 is not put on heater 414. Lever 494 isrotated in one direction as in FIG. 18a, and steam guiding portion 476is moved upward according to the action of slant guiding surface 490 aof annular arrestor 490 and slant surface 492 a of rotary member 492.Here, plural elastic springs 480 stay compressed.

In this state, when heating vessel 420 is mounted on heater 414 andlever 494 is rotated in the other direction, rotary member 492 is turnedreversely and steam guiding portion 476 moves downwards due to theresilient force of elastic springs 480 so that it comes intosheet-contact with steam hole 424 a formed on heating vessel lid 424.This state allows the steam of heating vessel 420 to enter steamcollector 450 and the condensed water of steam collector 450 to enterheating vessel 420.

The decoctor 400 further comprises a falling water receiver 500 placedat an appropriate position of heater 414 so that the boiling solutionfalling from steam/condensed water guiding means 470 can be collectedwhen heating vessel 420 is detached from main body 410.

The operation of air-cooled decoctor 400 is described from now on. Aftera predetermined amount of water (approximately 2,000 cc) is stored inwater reservoir 430 and when decoctor 400 is turned on, water supplypump 442 is operated so that the water stored in water reservoir 430goes into steam collector 450 through water supply tube 440 and then thewater entering steam collector 450 into heating vessel 420 throughsteam/condensed guiding means 470. Here, the water supplied is as much(approximately 500 cc) as not to cause ginseng to be immersed thereinto.

In this condition, when heating vessel 420 is heated for a predeterminedtime by means of heater 414, steam is produced while ginseng issteam-boiled. This steam goes into steam collector 450 throughsteam/condensed water guiding means 470. The steam entering steamcollector 450 then goes into condensing tube 460 and is condensed in theform of liquid. This condensed liquid goes back into steam collector 450and into heating vessel 420 through steam/condensed water guiding means470. Here, cooling fan 462 continuously cools condensing tube 460 andheat-resistant pin 466 so as to maintain the condensing effect of steam.

After the steam-boiling of ginseng by means of heating for apredetermined time, water supply pump 442 is driven according to thecontroller so that remaining water (about 1,500 cc) stored in waterreservoir 430 is sent to heating vessel 420 through water supply tube440, steam collector 450 and steam/condensed water guiding means 470.Here, the water supplied to heating vessel 420 causes the steam-boiledginseng to be immersed completely.

With such processes of steam boiling and re-boiling, ginseng bearsseveral kinds of phenolic compounds and maltol, which are contained inred ginseng as the aging-resistants (anti-oxidants), and ginsenosides Rgand Rh. During the steam boiling of ginseng, there are generated suchcomponents as several kinds of phenolic compounds and maltol included inred ginseng as the aging resistants (anti-oxidants). During there-boiling process ginsenosides Rg and Rh are produced.

As above, through steam-boiling, drying and re-boiling of undried orwhite ginseng with home-style decoctor 100 endowed with steamy boilingfunction of the present invention, the undried or white ginseng becomesred ginseng extract, which possesses several kinds of phenoliccompounds, and maltol, anti-oxidants, and ginsenosides Rg and Rh. Thisallows red ginseng extract to be made domestically with ease.

In addition, the embodiments of decoctor of the invention can alsomanufacture red ginseng extract by drawing out useful components fromred ginseng through its steam-boiling, drying and re-boiling.Especially, for red ginseng, red ginseng extract containing usefulcomponents can be obtained only through reboiling without steam-boilingor drying process.

As described above, the home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boilingfunction of the present invention offers two functions of steam-boilingand simple boiling, facilitating its use.

For another effect of the present invention, undried or white ginsengcan become red ginseng extract by producing such useful components asseveral kinds of phenolic compounds and maltol, anti-oxidants, andginsenosides Rg and Rh through steam-boiling, drying and re-boiling.

For still another effect of the present invention, with the steamguiding portion and heating vessel lid tightened by means of a sealingmember, the leakage of steam as well as the loss of boiling solution canbe prevented during boiling. No steam leakage can prevent the decoctorsurface from being contaminated with oozing steam.

It will be apparent to the reader that the foregoing description of theinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription and for providing an understanding of the invention and thatmany changes and modifications can be made without departing from thescope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the scope of theinvention be indicated by the appended claims rather than by theforegoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boilingfunction, the decoctor being comprised of: a main body of apredetermined size equipped with a heater at an appropriate position ofthe bottom; a heating vessel for containing and heating a predeterminedamount of water with the heater; a support plate having a plurality ofthroughholes and for allowing a to-be-boiled object to be placed abovethe surface of water stored in the heating vessel and to be steam-boiledwith the steam produced inside the heating vessel; means for supplyingwater for boiling into the heating vessel so that theto-be-boiled-object is immersed after its steamy boiling and drying; asteam collector for gathering steam produced when the to-be-boiledobject is decocted with the water for boiling; means for condensing thesteam collected into the steam collector; and steam/condensed waterguiding means for causing the heating vessel to communicate with thesteam collector when the heating vessel is safely placed in the mainbody and thus leading the steam present in the heating vessel to thesteam collector and the condensed water placed in the steam collector tothe heating vessel.
 2. A home-style decoctor endowed with a steamyboiling function as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: anopen/close valve installed in the upper portion of the steam collector,the valve being opened when the steam collector's internal pressure israised above a predetermined point so that the steam contained in thesteam collector is discharged externally.
 3. A home-style decoctor asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the water-for-boiling supplying meanscomprises: a water for boiling tank installed to be spaced apart upwardfrom the inner bottom of the steam collector for storing so much anamount as to cause the to-be-boiled object contained in the heatingvessel to be immersed; an open/close valve installed at an appropriateposition of the bottom of the tank for discharging the water for boilinginto the steam collector according to the opening/closing action; meansinstalled at an appropriate position of the main body placed under theopen/close valve for opening or closing the open/close valve.
 4. Ahome-style decoctor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the open/close valveopening/closing means is a solenoid.
 5. A home-style decoctor as claimedin claim 1, wherein the steam condensing means comprises: a coolingwater reservoir installed at an appropriate position of the main bodyfor storing cooling water; a cooling water circulation tube installedspirally on the circumference of the steam collector for allowing thecooling water stored in the cooling water reservoir to flow; a coolingwater circulation pump for forcibly circulating the cooling water storedin the cooling water reservoir into the cooling water circulation tube;and a heat-resistant pin installed at an appropriate place of thecooling water circulation tube for radiating heat of the cooling waterwhose temperature is raised.
 6. A home-style decoctor endowed withsteamy boiling function as claimed in claim 5, the decoctor furthercomprising: a cooling water residual indicator provided at anappropriate place of one side of the main body for confirming theresidual of cooling water contained in the cooling water reservoir.
 7. Ahome-style decoctor endowed with steamy boiling function as claimed inclaim 5, the decoctor further comprising: a cooling fan installed at anappropriate place of the main body near the heat-resistant pin forcooling it.
 8. A home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boilingfunction as claimed in claim 7, the decoctor further comprising: meansfor detecting the temperatures of the steam collector and the coolingwater circulation tube if the cooling water circulation pump or thecooling fan has a problem, the means deciding that there occurs troubletherein if the temperatures reach a predetermined point, and thusturning off the heater to thereby prevent its overheating.
 9. Ahome-style decoctor endowed with steamy boiling function as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the overheating preventive means comprises: atemperature detecting portion installed on one side of the steamcollector for detecting its temperature; a comparing portion forcomparing the temperature of the steam collector detected by thetemperature detecting portion with a predetermined point; a controllerfor, if the temperature of the steam collector goes above apredetermined point, deciding that the cooling water circulation pump orthe cooling fan has a problem to thereby turn off the power of theheater, the controller further controlling the general operations of thedecoctor; and an alarm for generating an alarm which can be recognizedby an user when it is decided by the controller that the cooling watercirculation pump or the cooling fan has trouble.
 10. A home-styledecoctor endowed with steamy boiling function as claimed in claim 9,wherein the alarm is a buzzer which can be aurally recognized by itsuser.
 11. A home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boiling function asclaimed in claim 9, wherein the alarm is an on-and-off light which canbe visually recognized by its user.
 12. A home-style decoctor endowedwith steamy boiling function as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesteam/condensed water guiding means comprises: upper and lower supportmembers vertically and respectively having penetrating steam guidingholes at their centers and screw-fastened with the bottom of the steamcollector being interposed; a steam guiding portion which communicateswith the steam hole formed in the heating vessel lid, the portion forleading the steam contained in the heating vessel to the steam collectorand the condensed water stored in the steam collector to the heatingvessel; a support shaft vertically formed at an appropriate positioninside the steam guiding portion and vertically and movably insertedinto the steam guiding holes of the upper and lower support members; anopen/close member fastened at the top of the support shaft for openingor closing the top of the steam guiding hole of the upper support memberand allowing the steam guiding portion and the support shaft to besupported by the upper and lower support members when the steam guidingportion moves up and down; an elastic wavy tube installed on thecircumference of the support shaft and whose top and bottom surfacescome into tight contact with the bottom of the lower support member andthe inner top of the steam guiding portion, respectively, the tube forleading the steam contained in the heating vessel to the steam collectorand the condensed water stored in the steam collector to the heatingvessel through the steam guiding portion; and a resilient springinstalled at the circumference of the wavy tube for allowing the top andbottom of the wavy tube to come into close contact with the bottom ofthe lower support member and the inner top of the steam guiding portion,the spring executing its force to enable the steam guiding portionusually to return to the original position.
 13. A home-style decoctorendowed with steamy boiling function as claimed in claim 12, thedecoctor further comprising a sealing member provided on the bottom ofthe steam guiding portion, the member preventing the leakage of steam bytightening the border of the steam hole of the heating vessel lid andthe bottom of the steam guiding portion.
 14. A home-style decoctorendowed with steamy boiling function as claimed in claim 12, thedecoctor further comprising means for arresting the vertical movement ofthe steam guiding portion.
 15. A home-style decoctor endowed with steamyboiling function as claimed in claim 14, wherein the steam guidingportion movement arresting means comprises: a stop formed on thecircumference of the steam guiding portion; a pushing member one end ofwhich is protruded outward from the main body, the member rectilinearlyand horizontally moving; a spring whose force is executed to enable thepushing member always to be protruded outward; and an arresting memberinstalled to be rotable inward and outward horizontally at anappropriate position and on both sides in the main body, one end of themember being hinged on the other end of the pushing member, the membermoving inward and outward while engaging with the pushing member whichmoves horizontally, to be thereby caught or released from the stop ofthe steam guiding portion.
 16. A home-style decoctor endowed with steamyboiling function as claimed in claim 1, the decoctor further comprisingfalling water receiver means placed at an appropriate position of theheater for withdrawing boiling solution falling from the steam/condensedguiding means when the heating vessel is detached from the main body.17. A home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boiling function asclaimed in claim 16, wherein the falling water receiver means comprises:an outer cask installed at an appropriate place inside the heater on thecentral line of the steam/condensed guiding means; a falling waterreceiver detachably installed on the inner side of the outer cask forcollecting boiling solution falling from the steam/condensed waterguiding means; and a handle formed on the inner central bottom of thefalling water receiver and used to allow the barrel to separate from theouter cask.
 18. A home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boilingfunction as claimed in claim 17, wherein the bottom of the barrel isformed conically to minimize the heat transmission from the outer cask.19. A home-style decoctor endowed with steamy boiling function asclaimed in claim 17, wherein the decoctor further comprising: aplurality of contact preventive bumps protuberantly formed on the innerside of the outer cask for causing the outer circumference of the barrelto come into no sheet-contact with the inner circumference of the outercask when the barrel is safely positioned in the outer cask.
 20. Ahome-style decoctor endowed with steamy boiling function as claimed inclaim 13, the decoctor further comprising means for arresting thevertical movement of the steam guiding portion.
 21. A home-styledecoctor endowed with steamy boiling function as claimed in claim 18,the decoctor further comprising: a plurality of contact preventive bumpsprotuberantly formed on the inner side of the outer cask for causing theouter circumference of the barrel to come into no sheet-contact with theinner circumference of the outer cask when the barrel is safelypositioned in the outer cask.
 22. A home-style decoctor endowed withsteamy boiling function comprising: a main body of a predetermined sizehaving a heater at an appropriate place of its bottom; a heating vesselput above the heater for heating a to-be-boiled object containedtherein; a support plate having a plurality of throughholes mounted onthe heater for supporting a to-be-boiled object so that it is locatedabove water stored, the plate allowing the object to be steam-boiled bymeans of steam produced inside the heating vessel; a water reservoirinstalled at an appropriate place of the main body for storing water tobe supplied to the heating vessel; means for supplying water stored inthe water reservoir to the heating vessel; a steam collector forgathering steam produced from the heating vessel while the objectcontained in the heating vessel is boiled; means for condensing thesteam collected in the steam collector; and steam/condensed waterguiding means for enabling the heating vessel to communicate with thesteam collector when the heating vessel is safely placed in the mainbody, and thus leading the steam contained in the heating vessel to thesteam collector and the water condensed in the steam collector to theheating vessel.
 23. A home-style decoctor endowed with a steam-boilingfunction as claimed in claim 22, wherein the water supply meanscomprises: a water supply tube connected from the water reservoir to thesteam collector; a water supply pump installed at an appropriate placeof the main body for supplying water stored in the water reservoir tothe steam collector through the water supply tube; and a controller forcontrolling the water supply pump and thus the amount of water enteringthe heating vessel.
 24. A home-style decoctor endowed with a steamboiling function as claimed in claim 22, wherein the steam condensingmeans comprises: a condensing tube connected downwards on the side ofthe steam collector for sucking the steam collected in the steamcollector, condensing it in the form of liquid and then causing it to gointo the steam collector; a cooling fan installed at an appropriateplace of the main body near the condensing tube for cooling thecondensing tube; and a steam discharge tube connected to the bottom endof the condensing tube for externally discharging the rest uncondensedsteam.
 25. A home-style decoctor endowed with a steam boiling functionas claimed in claim 24, wherein the condensing tube is made in the formof spring so that incoming steam passes through a path of apredetermined length.
 26. A home-style decoctor endowed with a steamboiling function as claimed in claim 24, further comprising aheat-resistant pin installed at an appropriate place of the condensingtube for irradiating heat of the condensing tube whose temperature israised.
 27. A home-style decoctor endowed with a steam boiling functionas claimed in claim 22, wherein the steam/condensed water guiding meanscomprises: upper and lower support members vertically and respectivelyhaving steam guiding holes at their centers and screw-fastened with thebottom of the steam collector being interposed; a steam guiding portionwhich communicates with the steam hole formed in the heating vessel lid,the portion for leading the steam contained in the heating vessel to thesteam collector and the condensed water stored in the steam collector tothe heating vessel 420; a support shaft vertically formed at anappropriate position inside the steam guiding portion and vertically andmovably inserted into the steam guiding holes of the upper and lowersupport members; an open/close member fastened at the top of the supportshaft for opening or closing the top of the steam guiding hole of theupper support member and allowing the steam guiding portion and thesupport shaft to be supported by the upper and lower support memberswhen the steam guiding portion moves up and down; and a resilient springfor executing its force to enable the steam guiding portion usually toreturn to the original position.
 28. A home-style decoctor endowed witha steam boiling function as claimed in claim 27, the decoctor furthercomprising means for arresting the vertical movement of the steamguiding portion.
 29. A home-style decoctor endowed with a steam boilingfunction as claimed in claim 28, wherein the steam guiding portionmovement arresting means comprises: an annular arrestor provided on theouter circumference of the steam guiding portion and having a slantguiding surface; a rotary member having another slant surface relativewith a slant guiding surface; a lever connected to one side of therotary member and externally protruded from the main body; and a rotarymember support member, whereby the lever moves left and right to allowthe rotary member to turn left and right and thus the steam guidingportion to move up and down.
 30. A home-style decoctor endowed with asteam boiling function as claimed in claim 22, the decoctor furthercomprising falling water receiver means provided at an appropriate placeof the heater so that re-boiling solution falling from thesteam/condensed guiding means is withdrawn when the heating vessel isdetached from the main body.
 31. A home-style decoctor endowed with asteam boiling function as claimed in claim 25, further comprising aheat-resistant pin installed at an appropriate place of the condensingtube for irradiating heat of the condensing tube whose temperature israised.